The Headrow facts for kids
.jpg)
The Headrow is a famous street in Leeds city centre, West Yorkshire, England. It's like a main road that runs through the middle of the city.
This street is super important because it's home to many of Leeds's main buildings. You can find places like Leeds Town Hall, Leeds Central Library, and Leeds Art Gallery here. Big shops also have their main stores on The Headrow. It connects to other important streets like Westgate and Eastgate, making it a central path across the city.
The Headrow is about half a mile (700 meters) long. It was made wider between 1928 and 1932. This big project was designed by an architect named Reginald Blomfield. The main goal was to help traffic move more easily through the city center. There's a suggested speed limit of 15 miles per hour. Also, a part of The Headrow is only for buses and taxis during most of the day.
Contents
The Headrow: A Journey Through Time
The Headrow first appeared on maps in 1560. Its name comes from its history: it used to be the "head" or northern edge of medieval Leeds. In the past, this street had many different names, like Parke Lane and Upper Head Row. Over time, it became known as Eastgate, The Headrow, and Westgate, running from east to west.
A big change happened when the street was widened. New buildings were constructed in a similar style, using red brick and Portland stone. This gave the north side of The Headrow a very grand and uniform look. However, the south side still has a mix of older buildings from the 1800s alongside newer ones.
One famous building was the Odeon Cinema. It was the last big movie theater in the city center. It closed in 2001 because new, modern cinemas opened nearby. Later, the building became a Primark clothing store, and then a Sports Direct store.
Shopping and Fun on The Headrow
.JPG)
Today, The Headrow is one of Leeds's main shopping streets. A building called The Light used to be the headquarters of a building society. Now, it has a cinema, restaurants, and a hotel. You can also find shops on the ground floor of Direct Line House. St John's Shopping Centre and The Headrow Centre are also nearby.
Another large building, Broad Gate, was built in 1932. It used to house big department stores like Lewis's and Allders. After Allders closed, Broad Gate was updated. Now, part of it is offices, and the other part has shops like Sainsbury's, T.K. Maxx, and Argos.
If you love music, you might know Crash Records. This record store has been a part of the Leeds music scene for over 30 years!
Cool Places to Visit
.jpg)
The Light complex is a great place for entertainment. It has a 13-screen cinema and a gym. You can also find many restaurants and bars there. The Headrow area is also home to several art galleries. These include the main Leeds City Art Gallery and the Henry Moore Institute.
Victoria Gardens: A Green Space
At one end of The Headrow, you'll find Victoria Gardens. This is a well-known spot, often called Leeds's "Speakers' Corner." It's famous for its war memorial and is a place where people gather for rallies and events. The gardens are surrounded by important buildings like Leeds Town Hall and Leeds City Art Gallery.
Dortmund Square: A Friendship Gift
In 1980, a new public space called Dortmund Square was created. This square celebrates the friendship between Leeds and the German city of Dortmund. Dortmund gave Leeds a bronze statue of a "Dortmund Drayman" (a person who drives a cart). This statue stands proudly in the square, showing the strong bond between the two cities.
